Of all the golf played this weekend, James Hahn beating Roberto Castro in the playoff to win the Wells Fargo at Quail Hollow, or Ariya Jutanugarn becoming the first Thai winner on the LPGA Tour at the Yokohama Tire Classic, or Jeunghun Wang the young Korean winning the Trophee Hassan II in the pouring rain of Morocco just to name a few, my attention for the first time in a while was drawn to the PGA Tour Champions where Jesper Parnevik won the Insperity Championship, his first win in 15 long years.
That was good for the Champions Tour and what was even better was the return of John Daly.
In my opinion this is the best thing that has happened to that tour since Freddie Couples arrived 10 years ago, and let's be honest, the senior circuit needs a boost.
When the legends like Arnie Palmer, Lee Trevino and to a certain extent Jack Nicklaus joined the Senior Tour it became more compelling than the PGA Tour, remember this was pre Tiger.
While the recent arrival of great players like Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie have added credibility and class, they don't make the casual fan sit up and take notice.
John Daly does.
Jack, Gary and Lee were playing at the Insperity over the weekend, and when asked about Daly's return, Trevino said " he'll move the needle" and he is right. Moving the needle is the broadcasting term for increasing ratings.
More and more current pros who have turned 50 like Davis Love and Vijay Singh are not playing with their peers, Greg Norman would have moved the needle but had no interest, and Tiger is still a decade and a lot of if's away.
Golf is all about the young guys now, Rory, Jordan, Jason and Rickie with a huge world wide supporting cast have replaced the Tiger era, and the Champions Tour has lost many of our favourites like the big three, as well as guys like Ben Crenshaw, Nick Price, Mark O'Meara, Tony Jacklin, and guys like Tom Watson are nearing the end.
Daly has arrived just in time. This is not only good for this tour but for John Daly who is getting a second chance. His track record of personal disaster's and professional misconduct have not diminished his popularity with Joe fan.
In fact, he is much like the late mayor of Toronto Rob Ford, who despite his public and personal misbehaviour, was well remembered in his passing. The common man saying with empathy and forgiveness, we all have our demons, he meant well for us..
I am of the belief that winning the PGA Championship as a 21 year old in the rip it and grip it style that have made him famous was both the best and worst thing that happened to him.
The best is obvious, but the worst launched him into a public spotlight that he didn't have the personal tools, or support group to deal with, ala Jordan Spieth these days.
Now older, hopefully wiser, he is back with a regular gig, no longer begging for the sponsor exemptions that he far to often abused, and he wants to be here.
John Daly needs the PGA Tour Champions and it needs him. Seems like a perfect fit.
Bryan Angus
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